Stackable tray having anti-pivot stop and wash apertures

ABSTRACT

A multi-purpose tray including a front, a back, a first side, a second side, and a bottom. The tray can include beams extending from the front of the tray and slots defined in the back of the tray. When two trays are stacked in opposite directions with respect to one another, the beams are received by the slots. The tray also includes a domed bottom. The domed bottom has a convex profile with respect to the interior of the tray and can include transverse ribs or longitudinal ribs. The tray also includes drain apertures positioned along the front and back of the tray. The drain apertures can enhance cleaning of the tray by communicating fluid from channels defined by the front and back. The tray also includes a stop for projection for limiting sliding movement of a top tray relative to a bottom tray when two trays are stacked in a similar orientation with respect to one another. The tray also includes handles in the first and second side and a gripping portion on one of the first and second handles.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/367,688 for a STACKABLE TRAY HAVING AN ANTI-PIVOTSTOP AND WASH APERTURES, filed on Mar. 26, 2002. This claim is madeunder 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) and 37 C.F.R. § 1.53(c)(3).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to multi-purpose reusable load-bearingtrays and, more specifically, to trays adapted to be nestable orstackable in three positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Plastic trays that are stackable and/or nestable can be desirable tomaintain cargo such as material and/or products. However, existing traysare not as efficient as desired. Specifically, existing trays canrequire excessive handling time and cleaning time. Also, the existingtrays may not nest together as well as desired. An improved tray isneeded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved tray for maintaining cargoduring transport. The tray of the present invention can include one ormore drain apertures disposed along a front or back of the tray. Thedrain aperture can improve the efficiency of the tray by improving thecleaning of the tray. In particular, the structure of the existing trayscan define blind holes and pockets in which debris and/or vermin canaccumulate. Positioning a drain aperture adjacent the blind holes orpockets of the tray can enhance the likelihood that the debris can bequickly removed during cleaning. The drain aperture can be disposedalong any surface of the front or back of the tray and can be defined,at least in part, by ribs disposed between a wall and an apron of thefront or back of the tray. The ribs can be any shape as desired,including arcuate, straight, cross-shaped, or T-shaped. A drain aperturecan also be formed in a notch defined in the front or back of the tray;the notch being used for aligning two trays during stacking.

The present invention also provides a tray with a domed bottom. Thebottom of the tray can be convex with respect to the interior of thetray. The domed shape of the bottom of the tray can enhance the strengthof the tray. The bottom can also include at least one transverse and/orat least one longitudinal rib to enhance the strength of the bottom. Thebottom can be formed with a convex or concave profile.

The present invention also provides a tray with two handles where one ofthe handles includes a gripping portion. By disposing a gripping portionon only one of the handles, a user of the tray can quickly identify theorientation of the tray. The efficiency of the tray is enhanced when auser can quickly identify the orientation of the tray during stackingthe of trays.

The present invention also provides ribs disposed in a pocket of abottom tray for receiving and engaging feet of a top tray. The ribs canenhance the alignment of two trays stacked relative to each other andsupport a top tray during sliding movement relative to a bottom tray. Arib closest to the center of the tray can be tapered to reduce thelikelihood that a top tray will bind relative to a bottom tray when thetwo trays are being engaged.

The present invention also provides a stop having a ramp shapepositionable in a channel of the tray. When a top tray is engaged with abottom tray, the top tray is slidingly received by a channel of thebottom tray. The stop disposed in the channel can limit the movement ofthe top tray relative to the bottom tray when the trays are beingengaged with respect to one another. A ramped portion of the stop canenhance the efficiency of the tray by ensuring that sliding movement ofthe trays will only be prevented in only one direction.

The present invention also provides a tray having beams disposed on afront of the tray and corresponding slots formed in the rear of thetray. The corresponding beams and slots can permit two trays to bestacked on top of one another when in a similar orientation. The supportof the top tray relative to the bottom tray, when two trays are stackedin similar orientation, does not occur at the outermost edges of thefront corners of the trays. The beams can be received by the slots whentwo trays are stacked in an opposite direction relative to one another.

Other applications of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art when the following description of the best modecontemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawingswherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout theseveral views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tray according to a first embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a front of the tray according to thefirst embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the tray according to the first embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional and perspective view of the trayaccording to the first embodiment of the invention showing theconfiguration of ribs between the wall and the apron;

FIG. 5 is a detailed partial perspective view of a front corner of thetray according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial detailed perspective view of a rear corner of thetray according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is partial detailed perspective view of the rear corner of thetray according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a detailed top plan view of a second side of the trayaccording to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a detailed perspective view of a rear corner of a trayaccording to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a front plan view of two trays according to the firstembodiment of the invention stacked in a similar orientation withrespect to one another;

FIG. 11 is a rear plan view of two trays according to the firstembodiment of the invention stacked at an angle of 90° relative to oneanother;

FIG. 12 is a rear plan view of two trays according to the firstembodiment of the invention stacked at an angle of 180° relative to oneanother;

FIG. 13 is a side plan view of two trays according to the firstembodiment of the invention stacked in a similar orientation withrespect to one another;

FIG. 14 is a side plan view of two trays according to the firstembodiment of the invention stacked at an angle of 180° relative to oneanother;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a tray according to a second embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 16 is a detailed partial cross-sectional view of a front of thetray according to the second embodiment of the invention showing theribs;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the tray according to the secondembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18 is a partial detailed view of the front corners of two traysaccording to the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19 is a partial detailed view of a rear corner of the trayaccording to the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a front plan view of two trays according to the secondembodiment of the invention stacked in a similar orientation withrespect to one another;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of two trays according to the second embodimentstacked at an angle of 180° relative to one another;

FIG. 22 is a side plan view of two trays according to the secondembodiment of the invention stacked in a similar orientation withrespect to one another;

FIG. 23 is a side plan view of two trays according to the secondembodiment of the invention stacked at an angle of 180° relative to oneanother;

FIG. 24 is a front plan view of two trays according to the secondembodiment of the invention stacked at an angle of 90° relative to oneanother; and

FIG. 25 is a schematic view of a tray according to the invention havinga domed bottom.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Various embodiments of the present invention are shown throughout thefigures. These figures include common elements in different structuralconfigurations. Common elements are designated with a common basenumeral and differentiated with a alphabetic designation.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the present invention provides a multipurposetray 10. The tray 10 can include a front 12, a rear 14, a first side 16,a second side 18, and a bottom 20 which can be integrally formed withrespect to one another. The tray 10 can be fabricated from plastic in aninjection molding process. FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of theinvention, a tray 10a having a front 12a, a rear 14a, a first side 16a,a second side 18a, and a bottom 20a which can be integrally formed withrespect to one another.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the front 12 can extend from the firstside 16 to the second side 18 and can include a wall 22, a fillet 24 andan apron 26. The wall 22, fillet 24 and apron 26 can define a channel28. The front 12 can also include a right-hand portion 30 and aleft-hand portion 32 which are mirror images of one another with respectto a substantially vertical center axis 186 of the front 12, as bestseen in FIG. 10.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the fillet 24 can define an opening 34. Theopening 34 can be centered along the axis 186 of the front 12 withrespect to the right-hand portion 30 and the left-hand portion 32. Theopening 34 can include a bottom surface 36 and side surfaces 38 and 40.In a second embodiment of the invention, an opening 34a is shown inperspective view in FIG. 15, in partial detailed cross-sectional view inFIG. 16, and in overhead plan view in FIG. 17. The opening 34a can bedefined by a fillet 24a of a front 12a of tray 10a. The opening 34a caninclude bottom surface 36a, side surfaces 38a and 40a as well assecondary bottom surfaces 36b and 36c and secondary side surfaces 38band 40b.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the fillet 24 can also define a boss 42, anotch 44, a gain 46, and a dimple 48. The boss 42 is positioned alongthe length of the front 12 between the opening 34 and the notch 44. Theboss 42 includes a support surface 50. A projection 52 can extend fromthe fillet 24 between the notch 44 and the gain 46. The dimple 48 can bepositioned at an outermost edge of the front 12. An alternativeembodiment of the dimple 48a is shown extending a height of an apron 26aof the tray 10a in FIGS. 17, 18 and 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, fillet 24 can be pierced by one or moreapertures 54. A plurality of apertures 54 can be evenly spaced along thelength of the front 12. The apertures 54 can be formed in the bottomsurface 36 of the opening 34, the side surfaces 38 and 40 of the opening34, or in the notch 44. The apertures 54 can enhance cleaning of thetray 10 by reducing the likelihood that vermin or debris will becometrapped in the channel 28.

Referring now to FIG. 4, ribs can be disposed in the channel 28 todefine a plurality of apertures and to enhance the structural integrityof the tray 10. Referring to FIG. 5, ribs 56, 58, 60 and 62 can beformed in various shapes and be disposed at various positions relativeto the opening 34. As shown in FIG. 16, ribs 64, 66, 68 and 70 can bepositioned adjacent a side surface 38a, a secondary bottom surface 36band a bottom surface 36a or any combination thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the front 12 also includes a wall 22. The wall22 can define a foot 72 and shoulder 74. The foot 72 can be shaped tocorrespond to the shape of the notch 44. Also, the foot 72 issubstantially vertically aligned with the notch 44. The shoulder 74 willbe described in greater detail below. FIG. 18 shows a front wall 12a ofa tray 10a having wall 22a that defines a foot 72a and shoulder 74a. Thefoot 72a is shaped to correspond to the shape of the notch 44a and issubstantially vertically aligned with the notch 44a.

Referring again to FIG. 5, a beam 76 extends from wall 22 generallytoward the apron 26. The beam 76 does not extend past the apron 26. Thebeam 76 can be tapered such that the beam 76 is narrowest immediatelyadjacent the foot 72. The beam 76 is substantially vertically alignedwith the support surface 50. FIG. 18 shows a front 12a having a beam 76asubstantially vertically aligned with the support surface 50a of a boss42a.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 6-9, the rear 14 of the tray 10 can besubstantially similar to the front 12 of the tray 10. The rear 14 caninclude a wall 22b, a fillet 24b, and an apron 26b. The fillet 24b candefine an opening 34b, including bottom surface 36d and side surfaces38c and 40c, and a boss 42b. One or more apertures 54 can pierce thefillet 24b along the surface 36d, or a notch 44b. The rear 14 alsoincludes a slot 78. The slot 78 extends vertically downward from theboss 42b along the wall 22b. The slot 78 can be tapered to be narrowestat a position furthest from the boss 42b. The slot 78 is substantiallyaligned with the beam 76 of the front 12 to receive a beam 76 when twotrays 10 are stacked 180° relative to another. The stacking of two traysrelative to one another will be described in greater detail below. Therear 14 does not include beams extending from the wall 22b as best seenin FIG. 9. Also, the rear 14 may not include a dimple 28 as formed inthe front 12.

FIGS. 15 and 19 show the rear 14a of alternative embodiment of theinvention. The rear 14a can be substantially similar to the front 12a ofthe tray 10a. The rear 14a can include a wall 22c, a fillet 24c, and anapron 26c. The fillet 24c can define an opening 34c, including bottomsurfaces 36e, 36f and 36g as well as side surfaces 38d, 38e and 40d, 40eand a boss 42c. One or more apertures 54 can pierce the fillet 24c alongthe surfaces 36e, 36f, 36g, 38d, 38e, 40d and 40e, or a notch 44c. Therear 14a also includes a slot 78a. The slot 78a extends verticallydownward from the boss 42c along the wall 22c. The slot 78a can betapered to be narrowest at a position furthest from the boss 42c. Theslot 78a is substantially aligned with the beam 76a of the front 12a toreceive a beam 76a when two trays 10a are stacked 180° relative toanother. The stacking of two trays relative to one another will bedescribed in greater detail below. The rear 14a does not include beamsextending from the wall 22c as best seen in FIG. 15. Also, the rear 14amay not include a dimple 28a as formed in the front 12a.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 8, the second side 18 can include aninner face 80, an outer face 82, a top portion 84 and a bottom portion86. The inner face 80 can be defined by an innermost surface 88, a frontpocket 90 and a rear pocket 92. The front and rear pockets 90 and 92 canbe defined by inwardly facing surfaces 96 and 98, front facing surfaces100 and 102, rear facing surfaces 104 and 106, and upper facing surfaces108 and 109, respectively. The inwardly facing surfaces, the frontfacing surfaces, the rear facing surfaces and the upper facing surfacesof each pocket define openings 110 and 112 in the front and rear pockets90 and 92. The pockets 90 and 92 are shaped to substantially correspondto the shape of mating feet disposed on the outer face 82 of the secondside 18. The feet will be described in greater detail below.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, one or more ribs 114 can be disposed onthe inwardly facing surface 98 of the rear pocket 92. The ribs 114 aregenerally arcuate or semi-circular in cross section. A rib 116positioned closest to the center of the second side 18 can be tapered,such that a radius of the rib 116 is greater than a radius of the ribs114. The rib 116 and ribs 114 can project from the surface 98 the samedistance. Tapering the rib 116 and enhances the sliding interactionbetween two trays 10 to be stacked relative to one another.Specifically, it has been found that when the rib 116 is shaped withouta tapered semi-circular cross section, a top tray sliding relative to abottom tray can bind.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, 9 and 1, the outer face 82 of the second side18 can include a honeycomb section 118, a front foot 120 and a rear foot122, and an outwardly facing surface 124. The honeycomb section 118 canbe disposed adjacent to the top portion 84 of the second side 18. Thehoneycomb section 118 enhances the strength and rigidity of the tray 10.Opposite of the front pocket 90 of the inner face 80 a planar surface126 is disposed on the outer face 82. Numerical and alphabeticinformation can be molded or formed on the surface 126. Runners 128 and130 extend downwardly toward the bottom portion 86 from the honeycombsection 118.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 9, the front foot 120 and a rear foot 122extend from the outwardly facing surface 124 of the outer face 82. Thefeet 120 and 122 include runners 132 and 134 respectively. The feet 120and 122 can be honeycombed. The front foot 120 is shaped to correspondto the shape of the rear pocket 92. The rear foot 122 is shaped tocorrespond to the shape of the front pocket 90. The front foot 120 canbe defined in part by an outer surface or plane 136, best seen in FIG.5. The rear foot 122 can be defined by two outer surfaces or planes 138and 140. The surfaces 138 and 140 are disposed at an angle of greaterthan 0° relative to one another.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 5 and 8, the top portion 84 of the second side18 is defined by a plurality of upper facing surfaces 142, 144, 146,148, 150, 152, 154, and 156. Surfaces 144 and 148 are downwardlyrecessed with respect to surface 142. Surfaces 142, 146 and 150 aresubstantially co-planar. Surfaces 152, 154 and 156 define the bottomsurface of a discontinuous channel 158 extending along the top portion84 of the second side 18 between the front 12 and the rear 14. Thechannel 158 is longitudinally aligned with the gain 46 of the front 12and a gain 46a of the rear 14. A stop 160 is disposed in the channel158. The stop 160 can be shaped like a ramp with a substantiallyvertical side facing toward the front 12 and a substantially ramped sidefacing the rear 14. The stop 160 can prevent movement of a top trayrelative to a bottom tray when two trays are to be stacked in a similarorientation and slidingly engaged in a first direction as will bediscussed in greater detail below. The first direction is defined whenthe front of a top tray is engages the rear of the bottom tray at thebeginning of the sliding engagement. The second direction is definedwhen the rear of the top tray is received by front of the bottom trayduring the beginning of the sliding engagement. Surface 152 isdownwardly recessed with respect to surface 154 and a rounded shoulder162 can be defined therebetween.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the bottom portion 86 of the second side 18includes two longitudinal rails 164 and 166 that extend between oppositeedges of the foot 72 of the front 12 to a foot 72b of the rear 14.Transverse rails 168 can be randomly or evenly spaced between the rails164 and 166 along the length of the second side 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the first side 16 and the second side 18are substantially mirror images of one another with respect to alongitudinal axis 190. However, the sides 16 and 18 are different inthat a configuration of a handle 170 of the second section 18 isdifferent than a configuration of a handle 172 of the first section 16.Specifically, one of the handles 170 and 172 includes a gripping portion174. The gripping portion includes one or more rounded projectionsextending into a cavity defined by the handle. FIGS. 1 and 3 illustratea gripping portion 174 having one rounded projection extending fromhandle portion 172. However, the gripping portion can extend from thehandle portion 170 and can include more than one rounded projection.FIG. 15 illustrates a gripping portion 174a including a plurality ofrounded projections.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 15, the gripping portions 174 and 174agenerally conform to the hand of a user of the tray 10 or tray 10a. Thegripping portion 174 can be advantageous to indicate to a human handlerthe orientation of the tray. For example, if the trays are to be stackedat 180° relative to one another, the human handler can grasp a tray tobe stacked and recognize whether the tray can be placed on top of astack of trays or must be oriented differently before the tray isstacked by feeling the gripping portion instead of having to examine thesides of the tray to identify the location of the beam 76 of the traybeing held and the slot 78 of the tray at the top of the stack of trays.Specifically, when trays are to be stacked at 180° relative to oneanother, the human handler will recognize that every other tray must begrasped so that the gripping portion is felt with a particular hand.When the trays are to be stacked at 0° relative to one another, thehuman handler will recognize that every tray must be grasped so that thegripping portion is felt with a particular hand.

Referring now to FIGS. 15, 17 and 22, the first side 16a and second side18a of the tray 10a according to an alternative embodiment of theinvention can be substantially similar to the first side 16 and secondside 18 of the tray 10, respectively. The first side 16a and second side18a can be mirror images of one another about a longitudinal axis 198.Each side can include an inner face 80a, an outer face 82a, a topportion 84a and a bottom portion 86a. The inner face 80a can be definedby an innermost surface 88a, a front pocket 90a and a rear pocket 92a.The front and rear pockets 90a and 92a can be defined by inwardly facingsurfaces 96a and 98a, front facing surfaces 100a and 102a, and rearfacing surfaces 104a and 106a, respectively. The rear pocket 92a caninclude an upper facing surface 109a. The inwardly facing surfaces, thefront facing surfaces, the rear facing surfaces and the upper facingsurfaces of each pocket define openings 110a and 112a in the front andrear pockets 90a and 92a. The pockets 90a and 92a are shaped tosubstantially correspond to the shape of mating feet disposed on theouter face 82a. The feet will be described in greater detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 22, the outer face 82a can include a honeycombsection 118a, a front foot 120a and a rear foot 122a, and an outwardlyfacing surface 124a. The honeycomb section 118a can be disposed adjacentto the top portion 84a of the second side 18a. The honeycomb section118a enhances the strength and rigidity of the tray 10a. Opposite of thefront pocket 90a of the inner face 80a a planar surface 126a is disposedon the outer face 82a. Numerical and alphabetic information can bemolded or formed on the surface 126a. Runners 128a and 130a extenddownwardly toward the bottom portion 86a from the honeycomb section118a.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 24, the front foot 120a and a rear foot122a extend from the outwardly facing surface 124a of the outer face82a. The feet 120a and 122a include runners 132a and 134a respectively.The feet 120a and 122a can include ribs 200. The front foot 120a isshaped to correspond to the shape of the rear pocket 92a. The rear foot122a is shaped to correspond to the shape of the front pocket 90a. Thefront foot 120a can be defined in part by an outer surface or plane136a. The rear foot 122a can be defined by two outer surfaces or planes138a and 140a. The surfaces 138a and 140a are disposed at an angle ofgreater than 0° relative to one another.

Referring now to FIG. 17, the top portion 84a is defined by a pluralityof upper facing surfaces 142a, 144a, 146a, 148a, 150a, 152a, 154a, and156a. Surfaces 144a and 148a are downwardly recessed with respect tosurface 142a. Surfaces 142a, 146a and 150a are substantially co-planar.Surfaces 152a, 154a and 156a define the bottom surface of adiscontinuous channel 158a extending along the top portion 84a betweenthe front 12a and the rear 14a. The channel 158a is longitudinallyaligned with the gain 46b of the front 12a and a gain 46c of the rear14a. Surface 152a is downwardly recessed with respect to surface 154aand a shoulder 162a can be defined therebetween.

Referring now to FIGS. 15, 20 and 21, the bottom portion 86a of eachside of the tray 10a can be substantially similar to the bottom portionof each side of the tray 10. Specifically, each bottom portion of thefirst and second sides 16a and 18a can include two longitudinal railsthat extend between opposite edges of the foot 72a of the front 12a to afoot 72c of the rear 14a. Transverse rails can be randomly or evenlyspaced between the longitudinal rails along the length of the first andsecond sides 16a and 18a.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, 8 and 25, a bottom 20 of the tray 10 candefine a lattice pattern. The bottom 20 can also include longitudinalribs 176 and transverse ribs 178. The bottom 20 can also be domed toincrease the strength of the tray 10 and reduce the material required toform the bottom 20. The bottom 20a of tray 10a can be domed. The shapeof a domed bottom surface is shown schematically in FIG. 25. The frontand sides of the tray are shown in phantom and a line 180 illustrates aprofile of the bottom 20 along the transverse direction. Line 182illustrates that the bottom can also be arched along the longitudinaldirection. Line 188 illustrates a profile of a bottom that is not domed.The dome configuration of a bottom can increase the strength of thebottom by fifty percent. Tray 10a can include a domed bottom 20a. Theenhanced strength of a domed-shaped bottom 20 can also reduce the amountof material necessary to form the bottom 20 when a predeterminedstrength is required.

Preferably, the dome is three-eights (⅜) of one inch at the center ofthe bottom 20. In other words, the center of the dome extends toward theinterior of the tray 10 three-eights (⅜) of one inch relative to theintersection of the bottom with the sides 16 and 18, and the front 12and rear 14. However, the height of the dome can be increased ordecreased as desired. The height of the dome can be varied based on theweight of the material and/or products to be maintained in the tray 10.In particular, the dome can be completely or partially flattenedrelative to the intersection of the bottom 20 and with the sides 16 and18, and the front 12 and rear 14 in response to a weight of the cargo tobe maintained by the tray 10. The height of the dome can be determinedbased on the projected flattening of the dome in response to weight ofthe cargo to be maintained by the tray 10.

Two or more trays can be stacked on top of one another in threedifferent configurations. The height of two stacked trays in eachconfiguration can be different. The trays can be blind stacked andunstacked. The engagement of two trays 10 and two trays 10a issubstantially similar.

In a first configuration, a bottom tray 10 and a top tray 10 are stackedin the same orientation, or at an angle of 0° relative to one another.In the first configuration, the second side 18 of the top tray engagesthe second side of the bottom tray. FIG. 10 is a front plan view of twotrays stacked in the same orientation and FIG. 13 is a side plan view oftwo trays stacked in the same orientation. When two trays are stacked ina similar orientation, a foot 72a of a rear 14 of an upper tray isreceived by the notch 44 of the front 12 of a lower tray. The trays aremoved relative to one another and a runner 134 of the upper tray entersthe gain 46 of the front 12 of the lower tray and slides along thechannel 158. An edge 184 of the rear foot 122 slidingly contacts surface142 of the second side 18 of the lower tray. The runner 134 of the rearfoot 122 engages the tapered rib 116 and moves past the rib 116 and ribs114. The runner 132 of the top tray enters the gain 46 of the lowertray. The sliding motion of the top tray relative to the bottom traystops when the runner 134 contacts or abuts the stop 160 of the lowertray. As shown in FIG. 10, when the upper tray is stacked relative tothe lower tray in the same orientation, a beam 76 of the top traycontacts the support surface 50 of the boss 42 of the lower tray, therunner 132 of the upper tray engages the surface 152 of the lower tray,the runner 134 of the upper tray engages the surface 156 of the lowertray, and the edge 184 of the upper tray engages the surface 142 of thelower tray and the ribs 114 and 116. Substantially the same engagementoccurs between the first side 16 of the top tray and the first side 16of the lower tray.

In a second configuration, a bottom tray and a top tray are stacked inthe opposite orientation, or at an angle of 180° relative to oneanother. In the second configuration, the first side 18 of the top trayengages the second side of the bottom tray. FIG. 12 is a front plan viewof two trays stacked in the same opposite orientation and FIG. 14 is aside plan view of two trays stacked in the same opposite orientation. Afoot 72 of the front 12 of the top tray enters the notch 44 of a lowertray. A runner 132 enters the gain 46 of the lower tray and slidinglycontacts the surfaces 152 and 154 of the channel 158. A runner 134enters the gain 46. When the front and rear feet 120 and 122 of the toptray are aligned with the rear and front pockets 92 and 90,respectively, of the bottom tray, the top tray drops into engagementwith the bottom tray. The ribs 114 engage surface 136 to reduce thelikelihood that the top tray will move relative to the bottom tray. Whenthe top and bottom tray are engaged at an angle of 180° relative to oneanother, a beam 76 of the top tray is slidingly received in the channel78 (shown in phantom in FIG. 12), runners 128 and 130 of the top traycontact surface 154 of the bottom tray, runner 132 of the top traypierces the opening 112 of the bottom tray, runner 134 pierces theopening 110 of the bottom tray, and the bottom of the apron 26 of thetop tray engages the top of the apron 26b of the rear 14 of the bottomtray. Substantially the same engagement occurs between the second side18 of the top tray and the first side 16 of the lower tray.

In a third configuration, a bottom tray and a top tray are stacked at anangle of 90° relative to one another. In the third configuration, thebottom 20 of the top tray engages the bottom surfaces 36 and 36d of thebottom tray. FIG. 11 is a rear plan view of two trays stacked at anangle of 90° relative to one another. The trays can be stacked so that abottom edge of a wall 22 of a top tray engages the fillet 24 of thefront 12 of a bottom tray and a fillet 24b of the rear 14 of the bottomtray. The shoulder 74 and a shoulder 74a of the front 12 of the top trayengage the aprons 26 and 26b and limit the movement of top tray relativeto the bottom tray. Like shoulders can be formed in the rear 14 toengage the aprons 26 and 26b.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalentstructures as is permitted under the law.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-purpose tray comprising: a front wallhaving a front apron and a front channel defined by the front wall andthe front apron; a back wall spaced from the front wall and having aback apron and a back channel defined by the back wall and the backapron; first and second sides each having an outer face and an innerface; at least one foot extending from the outer face of one of thefirst and second sides, the at least one foot including a surface facingforward toward the front wall and adjoining the outer face and anoutward facing surface adjoining the forward facing surface, the entireoutward facing surface spaced away from and outboard of the outer face;at least one pocket recessed into the inner face of a corresponding oneof the first and second sides, the at least one pocket including aforward facing surface adjoining the inner surface and an inward facingsurface adjoining the forward facing surface, the entire inward facingsurface spaced away from and outboard of the inner face, where the atleast one pocket is correspondingly shaped with respect to the at leastone foot; a bottom extending between the front wall and the back walland between the first and second sides, where the front wall, back wall,first and second sides, and the bottom are integrally formed; and aplurality of ribs disposed along the inward facing surface of the atleast one pocket, the ribs engageable with the outward facing surface ofthe at least one foot when two like trays are stacked in oppositedirections rotated 180° with respect to one another.
 2. The tray ofclaim 1 further comprising: at least one drain aperture disposed alongat least one of the front wall and back wall of the tray forcommunicating fluid from the channel.
 3. The tray of claim 2 furthercomprising: at least one rib disposed in the channel for defining, atleast in part, the at least on aperture.
 4. The tray of claim 3 whereinthe rib is arcuate.
 5. The tray of claim 3 wherein the rib is elongate.6. The tray of claim 2 further comprising: an opening defined by the atleast one of the front wall and back wall and having a bottom surfaceand first and second side surfaces, the at least one aperture disposedin one of the bottom surface, the first side surface, and the secondside surface.
 7. The tray of claim 6 wherein the opening furthercomprises: at least one secondary bottom surface adjoining one of thefirst and second side surfaces; and at least one secondary side surfaceadjoining the bottom surface and the at least one secondary bottomsurface, the at least one aperture disposed in one of the at least onesecondary bottom surface and the at least one secondary side surface. 8.The tray of claim 2 further comprising: a notch defined by the at leastone of the front wall and back wall, the at least one aperture disposedin the notch.
 9. The tray of claim 1 further comprising: a first handledisposed in the first side of the tray, the first handle having a firstgripping portion; a second handle disposed in a corresponding positionin the second side of the tray, the second handle having a secondgripping portion, wherein the first gripping portion has a differentcontour than the second gripping portion.
 10. The tray of claim 1,wherein the plurality of ribs are operable to support a top tray duringsliding movement of the top tray relative to a bottom tray duringstacking of the top and bottom trays in the same direction relative toone another.
 11. The tray of claim 1 wherein one of the ribs is taperedto enhance sliding movement of the top tray relative to the bottom trayduring stacking.
 12. The tray of claim 11 wherein the tapered rib ispositioned closest to the center of the tray relative to the other ribsto minimize binding between the two trays being stacked relative to oneanother.
 13. A multi-purpose tray comprising: a front wall; a back wallspaced from the front wall; first and second sides each having an outerface and an upper edge; a recessed channel longitudinally disposed alongthe upper edge of one of the first and second sides; at least one footextending from the outer face of one of the first and second sides, theat least one foot including a runner extending from a lower portion ofthe at least one foot, the runner slideably engageable with the recessedchannel of a like tray when the two trays are stacked in the samedirection with respect to one another; a bottom extending between thefront wall and the back wall and between the first and second sides,where the front wall, back wall, first and second sides, and the bottomare integrally formed; and a stop disposed within the recessed channelfor limiting sliding movement of a top tray relative to a bottom tray ina first direction when the top and bottom trays are stacked relative toone another.
 14. The tray of claim 13 wherein the stop comprises: a rampsurface inclined to a bottom surface of the recessed channel, the rampsurface being engageable with the runner to permit sliding movement ofone tray relative to the other in a second direction.
 15. Amulti-purpose tray comprising: a front having a wall, an apron and achannel defined by the wall and the apron; a back spaced from the frontand having a second wall, a second apron and a second channel defined bythe second wall and the second apron; first and second sides each havingan outer portion and inner portion, and at least one foot extending fromthe outer portion and at least one pocket defined by the inner portionwhere the at least one foot is correspondingly shaped with respect tothe at least one foot pocket, each of the first and second sidesoperably associated with the front and the back; a bottom extendingalong a first path between the front and the back and along a secondpath between the first and second sides, where the front, back, firstand second sides, and the bottom are integrally formed; at least onebeam extending from the front of the tray; and at least one slot formedin the back of the tray to receive the beam when two trays are stackedin opposite directions with respect to one another.
 16. Themulti-purpose tray of claim 15, wherein the beam adjoins the frontapron.
 17. A multi-purpose tray comprising: a front having a wall, anapron and a channel defined by the wall and the apron; a back spacedfrom the front and having a second wall, a second apron and a secondchannel defined by the second wall and the second apron; first andsecond sides each having an outer portion and inner portion, and atleast one foot extending from the outer portion and at least one pocketdefined by the inner portion where the at least one foot iscorrespondingly shaped with respect to the at least one pocket, each ofthe first and second sides operably associated with the front and theback; and a bottom extending along a first path between the front andthe back and along a second path between the first and second sides,where the front, back, first and second sides, and the bottom areintegrally formed, and wherein one of the first and second paths isarcuate at least in part, wherein the bottom comprises at least onetransverse rib extending from the first side to the second side andaligned substantially perpendicular to at least one of the first andsecond sides.
 18. The tray of claim 17 wherein the first and secondpaths are arcuate.
 19. A multi-purpose tray comprising: a front having awall, an apron and a channel defined by the wall and the apron; a backspaced from the front and having a second wall, a second apron and asecond channel defined by the second wall and the second apron; firstand second sides each having an outer portion and inner portion, and atleast one foot extending from the outer portion and at least one pocketdefined by the inner portion where the at least one foot iscorrespondingly shaped with respect to the at least one pocket, each ofthe first and second sides operably associated with the front and theback; and a bottom extending along a first path between the front andthe back and along a second path between the first and second sides,where the front, back, first and second sides, and the bottom areintegrally formed, and wherein one of the first and second paths isarcuate at least in part, wherein the bottom comprises at least onelongitudinal rib extending from the front wall to the second wall andaligned substantially perpendicular to at least one of the front andsecond walls.
 20. A multi-purpose tray comprising: a front wall; a backwall spaced from the front wall; first and second sides each having anouter face and an inner face; at least one foot extending from the outerface of one of the first and second sides, the at least one footincluding a surface facing forward toward the front wall and adjoiningthe outer face and an outward facing surface adjoining the forwardfacing surface, the entire outward facing surface spaced away from andoutboard of the outer face; at least one pocket recessed into the innerface of a corresponding one of the first and second sides, the at leastone pocket including a forward facing surface adjoining the inner faceand an inward facing surface adjoining the forward facing surface, theentire inward facing surface spaced away from and outboard of the innerface, where the at least one pocket is correspondingly shaped withrespect to the at least one foot; a bottom extending between the frontwall and the back wall and between the first and second sides, where thefront wall, back wall, first and second sides, and the bottom areintegrally formed; and a plurality of ribs disposed along the inwardfacing surface of the at least one pocket, the ribs engageable with theoutward facing surface of the at least one foot when two like trays arestacked in opposite directions rotated 180° with respect to one another.21. A tray according to claim 20 further comprising: a first handledisposed in the first side of the tray, the first handle having a firstgripping portion; and a second handle disposed in a correspondingposition in the second side of the tray, the second handle having asecond gripping portion, wherein the first gripping portion has adifferent contour than the second gripping portion.
 22. A tray accordingto claim 20 wherein the plurality of ribs are operable to support a toptray during sliding movement of the top tray relative to a bottom trayduring stacking of the top and bottom trays in the same directionrelative to one another.
 23. A tray according to claim 20 wherein one ofthe ribs is tapered to enhance sliding movement of the top tray relativeto the bottom tray during stacking.
 24. A tray according to claim 23wherein the tapered rib is positioned closest to the center of the trayrelative to the other ribs to minimize binding between the two traysbeing stacked relative to one another.
 25. A multi-purpose traycomprising: a front wall: a back wall spaced from the front wall; firstand second sides each having an outer face and an upper edge; a channellongitudinally disposed along the upper edge of one of the first andsecond sides; at least one foot extending from the outer face of one ofthe first and second sides, the at least one foot including a runnerextending from a lower portion of the at least one foot, the runnerslidably engageable with the channel of a like tray when the two traysare stacked in the same direction with respect to one another; a bottomextending between the front wall and the back wall and between the firstand second sides, where the front wall, back wall, first and secondsides and the bottom are integrally formed; and a stop associated withthe channel for limiting sliding movement of a top tray relative to abottom tray in a first direction when the top and bottom trays arestacked relative to one another.
 26. A tray according to claim 25wherein the stop comprises a ramp surface inclined to a bottom surfaceof the channel, the ramp surface being engageable with the runner topermit sliding movement of one tray relative to the other in a seconddirection.
 27. A multi purpose tray comprising a front, back, first andsecond sides, and a bottom integrally formed with the front, back andsides, each side having at least one downwardly extending foot and oneupwardly opening pocket offset with respect to the foot, the pocket ofthe first side configured to receive the foot of the second side and thepocket of the second side configured to receive the foot of the firstside, the feet and pockets being configured and relatively disposed suchthat with two trays stacked in the same direction the trays arevertically spaced with the feet of the upper tray supported on upperedges of the lower tray and with two trays stacked in oppositedirections the trays are nested with the foot of the first side of theupper tray nested in the pocket of the second side of the lower tray andthe foot of the second side of the upper tray nested in the pocket ofthe first side of the lower tray, characterized in that: the trayfurther includes at least one vertical beam extending from the front ofthe tray and at least one vertical slot formed in the back of the trayand configured to receive the beam; and with the two trays stacked inthe same direction, the beam of the upper tray is supported on an upperedge of the lower tray and with the two trays stacked in oppositedirections the beam of the upper tray is positioned in the slot of thelower tray.
 28. A multi-purpose tray according to claim 27 wherein eachside has at least two spaced feet and at least two spaced upwardlyopening pockets.
 29. A multi-purpose tray according to claim 27 wherein:each front has at least two spaced beams; and each back has at least twospaced slots.
 30. A multi-purpose tray comprising: a front; a back;first and second sides each defining a plurality of downwardly extendingfeet and each defining a plurality of upwardly opening pockets toreceive the feet when two trays are stacked in opposite directions withrespect to one another; a bottom integrally formed with the front, backand first and second sides; at least one beam extending from the frontof the tray; and at least one slot formed in the back of the tray toreceive the beam when two trays are stacked in opposite directions withrespect to one another.
 31. A multi-purpose tray comprising: a front; aback; first and second sides; a bottom extending along a first pathbetween the front and the back and along a second path between the firstand second sides, where the front, back, first and second sides and thebottom are integrally formed and wherein one of the first and secondpaths is arcuate at least in part; and wherein the bottom comprises atleast one transverse rib extending from the first side to the secondside and aligned substantially perpendicular to at least one of thefirst and second sides.
 32. A tray according to claim 31 wherein thefirst and second paths are arcuate.
 33. A multi-purpose tray comprising:a front; a back; first and second sides; and a bottom extending along afirst path between the front and back and along a second path betweenthe first and second sides, where the front, back, first and secondsides and the bottom are integrally formed and wherein one of the firstand second paths is arcuate at least in part; wherein the bottomcomprises at least one longitudinal rib extending from the front to theback and aligned substantially perpendicular to at least one of thefront and back.